CUVWOO502A
Investigate woodworking materials and processes

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to research and explore selected woodworking materials and processes and integrate their use into creative practice.

Application

Visual artists, designers and designer-makers whose practice involves the use of wood apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. Practitioners could be making functional items or art pieces.

Material and process exploration at this level is a largely independent activity with mentoring and guidance as required. It would normally include investigation of a range of materials and processes to develop an individual professional style. In practice, this process is integrated with the skills described in the unit CUVPRP501A Realise a body of creative work.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Research woodworking materials and processes

1.1 Research the detailed physical properties and capabilities of different woodworking materials

1.2 Investigate the safety issues associated with different materials and processes prior to use

1.3 Collate and store safety and technical data to meet safety requirements and inform future practice

1.4 Investigate the relationship between materials and woodworking processes

1.5 Determine cost and supply parameters

2. Select woodworking materials and processes for exploration

2.1 Assess the creative and professional opportunities offered by different woodworking materials and processes for own art practice

2.2 Determine limitations and constraints of particular materials and processes

2.3 Select particular materials and processes that suit own practice

3. Integrate woodworking materials and processes into own work

3.1 Explore different ways of working with materials and processes to achieve desired outcomes

3.2 Challenge and stretch the capabilities and uses of different materials and processes through experimentation

3.3 Develop own ways of working with materials and processes

3.4 Engage in informed discussion with others about the characteristics and opportunities of particular woodworking materials and processes

3.5 Establish and follow safe work practices

4. Manage woodworking resources in professional practice

4.1 Establish a sustainable supply of woodworking resources

4.2 Develop ways of working with resources that minimise waste

4.3 Maintain the quality and life of woodworking resources through appropriate handling and storage

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to engage in informed discussion around materials, processes and their relationship with ideas

critical thinking and analytical skills to evaluate and make judgements about relationships between woodworking materials, techniques and processes

initiative and enterprise skills to:

develop individual ways of working with materials and processes

identify and act on own professional development needs

learning skills to develop and refine own skills to a professional practice standard

literacy skills to analyse varied and technical information about woodworking materials and processes

problem-solving skills to identify and resolve technical problems in woodworking work

self-management and planning skills to:

develop own ways of working with woodworking materials and processes

research and organise sustainable supply of materials and processes

technology skills to use the internet as a research tool.

Required knowledge

ways in which a wide range of woodworking materials and processes can be used, adapted, combined and challenged by the professional artist

physical properties and capabilities of the selected materials and processes

types of technical and other data that may need to be stored for safety and other reasons

characteristics of different materials under different treatments and the potential of these characteristics to achieve different effects

cost and supply parameters for woodworking materials and tools in the context of professional practice

storage requirements and options for different materials

intellectual property issues and legislation associated with woodworking as a professional practice

sustainability issues for the professional operation of a wood design practice

OHS requirements for the set-up and operation of a professional work space.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

apply knowledge of woodworking materials and processes and how they may be adapted and extended at a professional level

evolve and refine ways of working with materials and processes through a demonstrated process of experimentation

integrate materials and processes into own work in a way that supports coherence of the creative work

demonstrate technical proficiency in the use of selected materials and processes

use safe and sustainable work practices.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

equipment, materials and tools used to produce woodwork.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

evaluation of the use of materials and processes in terms of the coherence of the body of work

evaluation of processes used by the candidate to develop new ways of working with woodworking materials and processes

evaluation of the work documentation

questioning and discussion about candidate’s intentions and the work outcome

review of portfolios of evidence

review of third-party reports from experienced practitioners.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

CUVPRP501A Realise a body of creative work.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Physical properties and capabilities may relate to:

appropriateness of material for:

selected process

size of project

durability

environmental safety

inherent and worked strength and fragility

personal safety

resistance to heat and cold

useability

weight

workability.

Woodworking materials may include:

assembling, joining or binding materials, such as:

other fibres

rope

string thread

wire

finishing materials, such as:

lacquers

paints

sandpapers

stains

found objects and materials

other materials that support work, such as:

leather

metals

stone

oxidising agents and other patina agents

wood

wood products.

Safety issues may relate to:

dust and airborne particles

equipment used for woodworking

fire

fumes

manual handling requirements

noise

sharp objects

use and labelling of chemicals

use of equipment with moving parts

work posture.

Data may include:

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

quantity calculations

results of experimentation.

Woodworking processes may include:

assemblage

carving

combining with other materials - synthetic and natural

jig making

laminating timber and timber products

making mock-ups and prototyping

marquetry

model making

steam bending of timber

timber preparation and machining

wood finishing

wood turning

wooden tool modification and/or making.

Cost and supply parameters may relate to:

budgetary restrictions

capacity to share costs with others

continuity of supply

delivery issues

location of suppliers

potential for use of found objects

terms of payment

use of freely available natural materials

use of recycled materials.

Creative and professional opportunities may relate to:

creative potential:

communication of ideas

personal affinity with particular materials and processes

potential for combining materials and processes

potential for interactions of different materials and processes

themes in work

professional potential:

collaboration

emerging market trends

professional development

saleability.

Limitations and constraints may include:

availability of supplies

financial expenditure

safety aspects of process

storage facilities

studio space

timeframe

transportation.

Different ways of working with materials and processes may involve:

combining materials and processes in new ways

making samples, prototypes and maquettes

varying established approaches to achieve new effects

working collaboratively with a particular material or process.

Own ways of working relate to:

approaches that reflect and support individual voice

particular nuances and subtleties unique to the individual artist.

Safe work practices may include:

completing MSDS

correct disposal of waste materials

dust and fume extraction

ergonomic safety

managing risk

reporting accidents and incidents

safe use of tools and equipment

using clearly designated wet and dry areas

using personal protective equipment (PPE).

Sustainable supply is:

available when needed

environmentally friendly

of appropriate quality

safe

within budgetary requirements.

Appropriate handling and storage may include:

avoidance of trip hazards

safe storage of timber and sheet material, such as:

fall hazards

heavy materials

height constraints

security considerations.


Sectors

Visual communication – wood


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.